Kenneth Vern Cockrel Jr.[2] (born October 29, 1965) is an American journalist, nonprofit executive, businessman, and former politician who served as the 73rd mayor of Detroit, Michigan from September 2008 to May 2009.

He graduated cum laude from Wayne State University and wrote for the Detroit Free Press.

[13] Under the existing deal, Windsor would have taken over full management of the tunnel in exchange for a $75 million loan to Detroit.

[14] Cockrel suggested that he would prefer to work out a new deal in which the two cities maintained joint management of the tunnel.

Windsor mayor Eddie Francis stated that he was confident that he could maintain a strong working relationship with Cockrel.

[15] Following certification of the vote and Bing taking office on May 11, 2009, Cockrel returned to his position as City Council President.

[16] He and his wife Kimberly have two sons, Kenneth III and Kyle Vincent, and three daughters, Kennedy Victoria, Kendal Imani and Kayla Lanette.